“I’m so happy for you,” Kinsley said as she took the glass. “I hope that you guys will be so happy together.”
Tears appeared in Rachel’s eyes as she leaned over and gave Kinsley a quick hug. “Thank you. I love you.”
“Love you too,” Kinsley said, a sudden rush of emotion flooding her and making her blink back tears. Her best friend was getting married, moving on with her life with her husband and Kinsley would become the third wheel officially.
Rachel straightened and held up the glass, Kinsley doing the same. “To love,” she said before throwing back the tequila. Kinsley forced herself to do the same, shuddering as the liquid burned a path to her stomach. Rachel gave her a grin and turned back to the group of women behind her, leaving Kinsley to put her glass on the table and then stand. She needed to go to the loo.
Kinsley walked slowly toward the bathroom, her body starting to feel the effects of the liquor. She would have a raging headache in the morning, but luckily it was her day off. There wasn’t much she was planning on doing, now that it looked like she was going to have to likely quit her lessons for now. The flats she had checked out today were twice as much as she was paying currently and even if she was forced to move out, all her money would have to go toward rent if she wanted to avoid moving in with her aunt and uncle again.
“Kinsley.”
Kinsley turned around to find Jarred standing near her, and her heart immediately tripped as she took in his casual appearance. He was dressed in a shirt that matched his eyes, with a pair of low slung jeans and black leather jacket to ward off the cool night air. She was pleased to see that his gaze was sharp and clear, not muddied by alcohol. “Mr. Maloney,” she said coolly.
He looked at her shirt and grinned. “Maid of honor huh?”
Kinsley looked down at the sparkly writing that spelled out her duties to the wedding party, glad that she wasn’t the one that was covered in condoms. “It’s Rachel’s bachelorette party. I, we, are celebrating.” She didn’t know why she even needed to explain it to him. “Excuse me, I need to go to the loo.”
She turned back to continue down the hall before his hand landed on her arm, the warmth of his skin on hers sending a shiver down her spine. “No wait,” he said. “I need to talk with you.”
Kinsley turned and found Jarred mere inches away from her now, close enough for her to see the tiny gold flecks in his emerald eyes. He smelled heavenly, the spicy scent of his cologne weaving its way around her. “W-what?” she forced out, her tongue seemingly not wanting to work.
Jarred leaned forward, until Kinsley was backed up against the wall, his arm resting just above her head. “Talk. We need to talk. I want to apologize for the other night. I was well pissed and appreciate you helping me out.”
“I— you’re welcome,” she replied, wetting her lips with her tongue. Her pulse was racing, goosebumps breaking out over her skin. His eyes darkened and for a moment, a brief moment, Kinsley wondered what it would be like for him to kiss her. She had yet to forget the way his hard body had pressed up against hers the other night, the shocking contact still sizzling in her veins. It had been way too long since anyone had touched her. She wasn’t starting with the boss’s son. “Excuse me.”
“I have a solution to your issue,” he said softly, his eyes searching hers.
A wash of embarrassment fell over her, thinking of the conversation he heard on the balcony yesterday. She didn’t want his help; she didn’t need him to think that she couldn’t handle her own issues. “No thank you,” Kinsley said firmly, attempting to dip under his arm and escape. He moved his arm to block her attempt and she let out a groan in frustration.
“Listen,” he said, urgency in his voice. “It’ll be helping both of us out. I find myself in a situation that you can help me out in and in return I’ll give you the money you need. That is all.”
Kinsley looked up at him. “What kind of situation?”
His expression turned to one of embarrassment as he looked away. “I, um, I am in need of a fiancée.”
That wasn’t what she had expected him to say. The great Jarred Maloney needed to ask for someone to be his fiancée? Why in the world was he asking her? He could literally have any girl. One word and their knickers would wet with anticipation at the thought of even being close to the man. “You’re kidding,” she said, laughing. It was comical, really.
He looked back at her, his gaze narrowing. “No, I’m not. My father has given me an ultimatum regarding my trust fund and unless I bring a woman that can impress him, he’s cutting me off. You’re perfect.”
His words reminded Kinsley of the other day, when he’d said that exact same phrase to her. Sure, he’d been pissed or hung over, but now she understood what they meant. How long had he been thinking about her helping him out? Wasn’t he surprised that she was currently living next door, desperate for money? It had to be like a dream come true for him. “Why me?” she asked, unable to help herself. No way was she entertaining this plan. But she wasn’t stupid, maybe he had a legitimate way to help her.
If she was going to agree to this fool plan, she wanted to hear it from his own lips why he chose to pick her over all the other willing women he could pick.
Jarred cleared his throat, her question obviously making him uncomfortable. “You’re levelheaded,” he started out. “My father already knows your character and trusts you. You are the opposite of what he would expect from me.”
His words tore at Kinsley, not because he didn’t mention her beauty. It was the way he said the last few words, like he was resigned to the fact that he was always going to be a screw up, the black sheep of the family. There was a hint of desperation in those words. “How much?” she forced out, wanting to shove away from the swell of emotions that she was feeling for Jarred at this moment.
Jarred’s easygoing grin appeared on his face, though his eyes were still haunted with shadows as he looked at her. “600,000 pounds.”
Kinsley’s eyes widened. “What did you just say?” She hadn’t heard him right. There was no way she had heard that amount correct.
“600, 000,” he repeated. “No qualms, no payments. I’ll give you the entire amount as soon as I am assured that my trust fund has been restored.”
That was more than enough to buy the flat and finish school. More than enough to secure her entire future. The thought was dizzying. Kinsley swallowed hard, knowing she would be an idiot to turn the offer down. That money would solve all her problems and leave her comfortable for a quite a while. She could even afford to take a bloody vacation. Wouldn’t it be nice to go somewhere for once? The choices of how she spent the money would be endless. More importantly, she could keep her life as it was, the life she knew. And she could finish school. That was the most important thing. On her own. Well, sort of. But what exactly would she have to do to get that dream?
“Think about it,” Jarred said, pushing away from the wall. “I need to know by tomorrow.”
Kinsley stared as he walked down the hall and disappeared around the corner, her knees weak from not only what he’d proposed, but also his closeness. Become Jarred Maloney’s fiancée? He was her boss’s son.